Iran's Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation of recent US military strikes on an Iranian tanker and Qeshm Island, attributing direct responsibility to the rulers of Kuwait and Bahrain for permitting these actions. In response, Iran reserves the right to defend itself against any nation that facilitates US military operations. This statement follows a significant escalation in hostilities in the Gulf region, marked by ballistic missile attacks launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeting US military bases, including the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. These strikes were described by Iranian officials as retaliation for US actions against an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has led to heightened tensions across the region, with air raid sirens sounding in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, prompting temporary flight suspensions. The US has characterized its military actions as 'self-defense' in response to Iranian aggression, a justification that Iran has rejected as aggressive posturing. As the ceasefire appears increasingly fragile, the potential for further conflict looms, with oil prices expected to remain elevated until stability is restored in the Strait of Hormuz.